Fifteen young people have completed aviation training week at London Biggin Hill airport ahead of placements with ACA member companies.
The Air Charter Association (ACA) recently hosted its 2026 internship training week at London Biggin Hill airport, with 15 young people aged 18-25 taking part in dedicated aviation training and practical onsite visits.
Now in its third year, the internship scheme included visits to facilities operated by Bombardier, Castle Air, Jetex, London Biggin Hill airport and Oriens Aviation.
Insight sessions were delivered by air charter professionals from across the industry, including Andy Patsalides, head of special projects at London Biggin Hill airport; Ekaterina Andreeva, head of business development for cargo at Chapman Freeborn; Juan Capilla, avionics and project manager at Bombardier; Lewis Holbrook, head of operations at Flightworx Aviation; Mike Rivett, founder and managing director of Churchill Aviation; Scott Butcher, regional vice president at Gulfstream Aerospace; and Zoë Layden, managing director of Claveaux Consulting.
Following completion of the training week, the interns will begin work placements at ACA member companies, gaining experience within the air charter industry.
ACA chief executive Glenn Hogben says: “We are thrilled to have another cohort of incredibly bright and motivated young people, with a real passion for aviation. We look forward to supporting them through their work placements and guiding them into a career in air charter.
“Our members have been incredibly supportive in offering to host work placements, and we have seen great success in the scheme as a whole, with five of last year’s cohort going on to work at leading member companies including Air Charter Service, Chapman Freeborn, CharterSync and FlyerTech.”
Intern Guillermo Rodriguez says: “The internship was exceptionally well organised, including the site visits to companies at London Biggin Hill airport, which uncovered the impressive operations that take place behind the scenes. Any young person looking for a career in the air charter industry would greatly benefit from participating.”
Fellow intern Ema Petrasova says: “I really enjoyed the various insight sessions led by industry experts and professionals. They gave me a greater understanding of the different roles within the industry and were very inspiring. The internship helped me discover a career path I am genuinely passionate about and motivated me to pursue it further.”
Applications for the ACA Internship 2027 intake are currently open, with a deadline of 27 February 2027.
